PADRES NOTES: Hoyer still looking at trade possibilities

SAN DIEGO -- General manager Jed Hoyer indicated on Thursday
afternoon that the Padres might not be finished improving their
offense.

Earlier this month, sources said the Padres had interest in
Milwaukee outfielder Corey Hart and Kansas City's David DeJesus,
both of whom are now injured. They've also had reported interest in
Colorado's Brad Hawpe and Philadelphia's Jayson Werth. Following
his acquisition of infielder Miguel Tejada, Hoyer said the Padres
could still add another bat before Saturday's 1 p.m. trade
deadline.

Another need on the team's wish list is a starting pitcher. With
Mat Latos 62 1/3 innings shy of the team's self-imposed 180-inning
limit, and two more young pitchers in Clayton Richard and Wade
LeBlanc, the Padres realize they need a veteran to consume innings
before the season ends.

But Hoyer isn't imposing a July 31 deadline on pitching. He
calls the non-waiver trade deadline a "soft date" and figures
several veterans will clear waivers in August as teams attempt to
dump salary.

"Jed is working on a number of things," manager Bud Black said.
"I'm not sure what's coming down."

Adams improves

Relief pitcher Mike Adams said Thursday's bullpen session was
the best of three that he has participated in since going on the
disabled list with a strained oblique. Adams, who is eligible to
come off the DL, threw 30 pitches and said his side is fine and his
shoulder is rounding back into shape.

Instead of going on a rehab assignment, Adams is next expected
to participate in a simulated game.

"(Thursday) the shoulder felt as close to normal as it has,"
Adams said.

Black, pitching coach Darren Balsley and bullpen coach Darrel
Akerfelds all watched Adams throw and came away impressed. Adams,
who is 2-1 with a 2.18 ERA in 42 games, was placed on the DL
retroactive to July 12.

"We're encouraged by how Mike threw," Black said. "He threw with
a lot of intensity today."

Et cetera

Thursday's series finale against the Dodgers drew 42,075 to
Petco Park for a three-game total of 120,691. Through 52 home
dates, the Padres are averaging 25,214 fans. But that average has
increased dramatically in July as the Padres are averaging crowds
of 33,209. ... OF Will Venable hit a pinch-hit double in the
seventh inning, his fifth pinch-hit in 11 at-bats this season. ...
C Yorvit Torrealba extended his team-best hitting streak to 12
games with a fourth-inning double. ... Of 21 players polled, 18
said they were in favor of the Padres' throwback 1978 jerseys on
Thursday. However, at least six players complained about the
uniform's pants, which featured a drawstring instead of a belt. ...
The Padres are 28-12 this season after a loss. The team's longest
losing streak is three games. ... The Padres improved their
franchise all-time home record to 1,656-1,656. It was the first
time in the team's 42 years of existence that it had been .500 at
home since it was 8-8.